Groundwork

• Comic books start with the writer, who designs a story arc involving the principal characters that can last one issue, several issues or many issues. Big comic book titles at companies such as DC or Marvel have very elaborate story arcs that last for years and encompass numerous different characters. Other arcs may last just three or four issues, or even fewer. The key factor is the size of each issue (often 32 or 48 pages). If the entire story can't fit into one issue, it will at least need to compass an entire "chapter," with a reasonable dramatic progression and an ending at an appropriate point (typically a cliffhanger or a moment of tension, in order to entice readers to pick up the next issue).
  
  

Plotting

• With the story in mind, the writer will then plot out each page, detailing the information it will convey and the number of panels it contains. The average comic book page has three to six panels detailing the actions of the characters. The vast majority of the action must be conveyed visually. The only text used is in small narrative boxes and in the dialogue of the characters. Not only must the length of those passages stay limited, but space needs to be included in the artwork where word balloons can be inserted without obscuring the action.
  
  

Scripting

• With the structure in place, the writer then formally creates the script for the comic book, factoring in the number of panels on each page and the pacing by which the action is conveyed. She includes dialogue text for each character on each panel and makes sure she knows exactly how many word balloons will be needed to include everything. Generally speaking, the more succinctly she can include the necessary information, the better. (One of the reasons superheroes use catchphrases is that they can be easily conveyed through a very small word balloon, allowing for a sense of the hero's personality to come through without much talking.)
  
  

Artwork

• When the script is finished it's turned over to an artist, who will draw out the panels on each page. This is an opportunity for the writer to work with the artist and iron out any problem areas--for example, too much action squeezed into a single page, or dialogue that crowds out the characters' faces. With the images still in pencil form, changes can be made where necessary without much difficulty. Writers are usually prepared to revise and alter their script in order to make sure it jibes with everything the artist has in mind.
  
  

Inking, Lettering and Coloring

• Once the script is finalized and the pencil drawings complete, the comic book is turned over to an inker to set the images permanently. A colorist will then fill in the inked images, and a letterer will add the dialogue boxes and word balloons. (Letterers may also be consulted during the script-writing process to make sure the script doesn't get too wordy for the page to handle.) Once their work is complete, the comic book goes to the printer to be published.